I wish I were in love again.

On the Writers Almanac, Garrison Keillor recently recited these song lyrics to celebrate the birthday of their late author, Mr. Lawrence Hart. I really like it. I like the cleverness of the words that he's chosen. He mixes both the good and the bad of being in love again, after you've been out of it for a while. Some of these things I remember, too.

And the line about Performing Seals made me laugh out loud. I've never heard the actual song, but I think it works nicely as a poem, too. (I just checked and it is available for download on Itunes. Sinatra has a nice version.)

Cheers,
Mr.B

The sleepless nights - the daily fights
The quick toboggan - when you reach the heights
I miss the kisses - and I miss the bites
I wish I were in love again

The broken dates - the endless waits
The lovely loving - and the hateful hates
The conversation - with the flying plates
I wish I were in love again

No more pain - no more strain
Now I'm sane - but I would rather be punched - drunk

The pulled out fur - of cat and cur
The fine mismating - of a him and her
I've learned my lesson - but I wish I were
In love again

The furtive sigh - the blackened eye
The words: "I love you - 'til the day I die"
The self deception - that believes the lie
I wish I were in love again

When love congeals - it soon reveals
The faint aroma - of performing seals
The double-crossing - of a pair of heals
I wish I were in love again

No, no more care - no, no despair
Now I'm all there (now) - but I'd rather be punchdrunk

Believe me sir - I much prefer
The classic battle - of a him and her
I don't like quiet - and I wish I were
In love again - in love again - in love again.